Many people have supported each other through some difficult days which have extended over almost a year-and-a-half, from looking after neighbours and helping with tasks such as shopping, to fundraising for the NHS and other important causes.
Staff at Wolves Foundation have also tried to do their bit, keeping in regular touch with elderly and isolated supporters as well as volunteering and assisting with the City of Wolverhampton Council’s food distribution at various stages of lockdown.
And one shining example of people from the city coming together to support each other has been shown by the response from fans to the Foundation’s Feed Our Pack project, which launched in January with an initial £500,000 investment to help reduce the effects of food poverty caused by the pandemic.
The project requires additional funding to be able to have the maximum impact in supporting local foodbanks and delivering holiday hunger activities and, so far, Wolves fans have raised in excess of £80,000 to add to the total.
An incredible effort, and one perhaps summed up by the staff and students at Fallings Park Primary School who recently combined a Feed Our Pack fundraiser with their Sports Day.
In doing so, they raised an extraordinary £12,000 which has been donated to Feed Our Pack.
Sam Holmes, the school’s PE lead takes up the story.
“We pick different charities for the school to support each term, and usually the summer term is one where we choose a local charity, and we decided on Feed Our Pack,” said Sam.
“We have linked up with Wolves Foundation over the last year or so and Feed Our Pack has already impacted some of our children and families, and they are coming back to do a Summer School in the holidays.
“We wanted to try and give something back, and so decided to do a day of fundraising alongside our Sports Day.
“The Foundation sent coaches along to help, we had a penalty shootout with Wolfie, and the children also spent part of the day involved in other activities and learning about inspiring people from the world of sport.
“Never for a minute did we think we would raise as much as we did, but it just shows the spirit of community at the school and how everyone supported us.
“It was a great day, really positive, and after everything that has happened over the last year it all felt normal again with the children having fun and enjoying themselves.”
Funding was also raised by raffles of a signed Wolves shirt and football and items donated from Wolves Foundation volunteer Manny Singh Kang, who popped along on the day.
“We want to say a huge thank you to Fallings Park for putting on such a great day and raising a fantastic amount which will go right back into the community to those who need the support most,” said Tom Warren, senior manager (projects) with Wolves Foundation.
“That includes people within the Fallings Park area and also the school where we will deliver free holiday camps including activities and meals provided for children who attend.
“I popped over to the Sports Day myself and it was amazing to see the pupils getting involved in so many activities which was also a huge credit to Sam and all the staff given all the logistical and timetabling challenges that must have provided.
“We remain so appreciative of the support the Foundation has received for Feed Our Pack, and this is another brilliant example of people coming together to help others from their local community.”
